CA3188403A1 - Tyre marking device, method, computer program product and tire - Google Patents

Abstract

A tire marking device is disclosed, comprising a specifying device by which one of at least two alternative contents for a tire type marking is specifiable for the tire; and an engraving device that engraves the tire type marking with the specified content into the tire. Further, a corresponding tire and two corresponding tires are disclosed. Further, a method of manufacturing at least two types of tires, a method of operation for a tire marking device, and corresponding computer program products are disclosed. (Fig. 1)

Description

Tire marking device, method, computer program product and tire TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of tire manufacturing.
BACKGROUND
From practice it is known to produce tires, store them in a storage and use tires of a desired type from the storage when needed.
SUMMARY
Common strategies for storing tires, in particular pneumatic tires, have the disadvantage that sales forecasts of tires are usually very imprecise. In order to ensure delivery capacity in any case, high inventories are kept for each type of tire (tire type).
In view of the situation described above, there is a need for a technology that allows efficient storage of tires while substantially avoiding one or more of the problems indicated above.
This need is met by the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are indicated in the dependent claims.
In accordance with a first aspect of the subject matter disclosed herein, a tire marking device is provided.
According to an embodiment of the first aspect, a tire marking device is provided, the tire marking device comprising: a specifying device (specification device) by which one of at least two alternative contents for a tire type marking

- 2 -is specifiable for the tire (a specifying device for specifying, for the tire, one of at least two alternative contents for a tire type marking); and an engraving device that engraves the tire type marking with the specified content into the tire.
In accordance with a second aspect of the subject matter disclosed herein, a tire is provided.
According to an embodiment of the second aspect, a tire is provided, the tire comprising: a tire type marking applied to (introduced into) the tire after vulcanization; wherein the tire type marking specifies a performance (capability) of the tire that differs from a performance defined by at least one aspect of a structure of the tire, in particular with respect to at least one of a tread pattern, a carcass, and a dimension.
In accordance with a third aspect of the subject matter disclosed herein, two tires are provided.
According to an embodiment of the third aspect, two tires are provided which have an identical structure with respect to at least one aspect, in particular with respect to at least one of a tread pattern, a carcass, and a dimension; and which differ by the content of a tire type marking applied to both tires after vulcanization.
In accordance with a fourth aspect of the subject matter disclosed herein, a method of manufacturing at least two types of tires is provided.
According to an embodiment of the fourth aspect, a method of manufacturing at least two types of tires, in particular pneumatic tires, is provided, the method comprising: providing at least two vulcanized tires having an identical structure with respect to at least one aspect, in particular with respect to at least one of a tread pattern, a carcass, and a dimension; generating a tire type marking in a first of the at least two tires, wherein the tire type marking in the first tire has a first content; generating the tire type marking in a second of the at least two tires, wherein the tire type marking in the second tire has a second content;
and wherein the first content is different from the second content.

- 3 -In accordance with a fifth aspect of the subject matter disclosed herein, a method of operation for a tire marking device is provided.
According to an embodiment of the fifth aspect, a method of operation for a tire marking device is provided, the method comprising: receiving a signal specifying, for a tire, one of at least two alternative contents for a tire type marking;
depending on the signal, selecting a set of engraving data from at least two different sets of engraving data, each set of engraving data specifying an associated one of the at least two alternative contents.
In accordance with a sixth aspect of the subject matter disclosed herein, a computer program product is provided.
According to an embodiment of the sixth aspect, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product comprising a program element that, when executed on a processor device, causes execution of a method of operation according to the fifth aspect or at least one embodiment thereof.
In accordance with a seventh aspect of the subject matter disclosed herein, a computer program product is provided.
According to an embodiment of the seventh aspect, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product comprising a program element that, when executed on a processor device, causes execution of a method according to the fourth aspect or at least one embodiment thereof.
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
According to an embodiment, a tire marking device according to the first aspect comprises a specifying device by which one of at least two alternative contents for a tire type marking is specifiable for a vulcanized tire. According to a further embodiment, the tire marking device comprises an engraving device that engraves the tire type marking with the specified content into the tire.

- 4 -According to an embodiment, the term "tire type marking" is a generic term in the sense of a placeholder that can be filled or may be filled with various contents. For example, the tire type marking is a speed index, which may have the content "H", "V", etc.
Aspects and embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein are based on the idea that the storage of tires may be simplified if two or more alternative contents for a tire type marking can be specified for a vulcanized tire. In other words, two or more different types of tire may thereby be generated from one tire at hand and already vulcanized, at least according to the tire type marking.
In this way, it is not necessary to keep a separate stock for each of the at least two tire types, but it is sufficient to keep the vulcanized tire (without the tire type marking) in stock and to engrave the corresponding tire type marking in the tire when needed.
According to an embodiment, a tire is not marketed without the tire type marking. For example, according to an embodiment, marketing of the tire is only permitted with the tire type marking. Thus, according to an embodiment, the tire type marking is a marking required for marketing the tire.
According to an embodiment, a tire without the tire type marking is referred to as a tire pre-product and a tire with the tire type marking is referred to as a tire end product.
According to an embodiment, each tire cited herein is a pneumatic tire.
According to an embodiment, the tire marking device has a tire receptacle for receiving a vulcanized tire.
According to an embodiment, the specifying device has a memory device in which, for each of the at least two alternative contents for the tire type marking, a set of engraving data is stored that allow the engraving device to engrave the tire type marking with the associated content into the tire. Thus, according to an embodiment, the engraving device is adapted to engrave the tire type marking

- 5 -with the content associated with the set of engraving data into the tire based on the set of engraving data.
According to an embodiment, a method of operation for a tire marking device comprises receiving a signal specifying, for a tire, one of at least two alternative contents for a tire type marking; and, depending on the signal, selecting a set of engraving data from at least two different sets of engraving data, each set of engraving data specifying an associated one of the at least two alternative contents. The signal may be, for example, a user signal specified by a user via a suitable user interface.
Embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein are distinguished from an optional marking indicating a "refined condition" of a tire, in particular, in that the tire type marking is always engraved in the tire, but with different contents (more specifically, with one of at least two alternative contents). In other words, the at least two alternative contents are each not "blank" (otherwise, no engraving would occur either).
According to an embodiment, tire type markings within the meaning of the present disclosure are different from week codes or serial numbers and therefore do not include such markings.
According to an embodiment, tire type markings within the meaning of the present disclosure are human-readable markings. In other words, according to an embodiment, a tire type marking is not a machine-readable mark, for example, it is not a barcode (for example, it is not a 1D barcode and/or a 2D
matrix barcode).
According to an embodiment, the specifying device comprises a control element (operational control), wherein for specifying a content, this content is selectable with the control element from the at least two alternative contents. For example, the user interface may comprise the control element.
According to an embodiment, the tire type marking is one of the following:
¨ a speed index,

-6-- a load index, - a registration mark, - an umbrella brand (family brand), - a product name, - a product variant name, - a co-brand.
According to an embodiment, two or more tire type markings are provided on the tire, in particular two or more tire type markings from the list of tire type markings given above. For example, the tire marking device may be configured to engrave two or more of the tire type markings on the tire using the engraving device.
According to another embodiment, the tire type marking is a tire type marking from a subset of the list of tire type markings given above.
According to an embodiment, the tire type marking for one of the at least two alternative contents (for example, for at least one of the at least two alternative contents) has a dimension in (at least) one direction that is greater than 5 cm (for example, greater than 10 cm or greater than 15 cm). For example, the tire type marking for a first content and/or for a second content has a dimension greater than 10 cm in at least one direction.
According to an embodiment, a tire is provided comprising a tire type marking applied to the tire after vulcanization. According to another embodiment, the tire type marking specifies a performance of the tire that differs from a performance defined by at least one aspect of a structure of the tire, in particular with respect to at least one of a tread pattern, a carcass, and a dimension. Thus, according to an embodiment, the respective aspect of the tire (for example, the tread pattern, the carcass, and/or the dimension of a tire) defines its performance in terms of embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein. For example, according to an embodiment, the performance of a tire may be defined by the dimension of the tire, or, according to another embodiment, by the tread pattern of the tire.

- 7 -According to a further embodiment, the tire type marking specifies a performance of the tire that is less than a performance defined by at least one aspect of a structure of the tire, in particular with respect to at least one of the tread pattern, the carcass, and the dimension.
It is understood that a tire type marking engraved in the tire must not indicate a performance for the tire that is higher than the actual performance of the tire, in particular an actual performance of the tire defined by a tread pattern, a carcass and/or a dimension of the tire. This applies in particular to a technical performance. Conversely, from a technical point of view, it does not raise any concerns to indicate a tire type marking for a tire that indicates a lower performance (or equivalent performance) than the actual performance of the tire. For example, it is not critical to indicate a speed index for a tire that indicates a speed resistance that is lower than an actual speed resistance of the tire.
According to an embodiment, the performance defined by at least one aspect of a structure of the tire may be a technical performance (for example, a speed specified by the speed index). According to another embodiment, the performance defined by at least one aspect of a structure of the tire may be a non-technical performance, such as a performance for suitability to be provided with a certain brand or associated with a particular region.
According to an embodiment, two tires are provided which have an identical structure with respect to at least one aspect (of a structure of the tires) (for example, with respect to at least one of a tread pattern, a carcass, and a dimension) and which differ by the content of a tire type marking applied to both tires after vulcanization. In other words, the two tires are a result of embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein, for example, a tire engraving of at least two tires with a tire marking device according to the first aspect. According to an embodiment, the two tires have an identical structure, i.e., an identical structure in all aspects of their structure.
According to an embodiment, a method of manufacturing at least two types of tires comprises providing at least two vulcanized tires having an identical

- 8 -structure with respect to at least one aspect, for example, with respect to at least one of a tread pattern, a carcass, and a dimension, wherein the method further comprises generating a tire type marking in a first of the at least two tires, the tire type marking in the first tire having a first content, and generating a tire type marking in a second of the at least two tires, the tire type marking in the second tire having a second content different from the first content.
According to an embodiment, providing at least two vulcanized tires comprises vulcanizing at least two tires. In other words, according to an embodiment, vulcanizing the at least two tires is part of the process for producing at least two types of tires.
The term "marking in a tire" means that the marking is formed in a material of the tire. According to an embodiment, the marking is formed in a sidewall of the tire, for example, in a surface of a sidewall that faces away from the vehicle in a state of the tire mounted on a vehicle.
It is understood that the embodiments of a method or a tire marking device disclosed herein may also be used to produce more than two types of tires, in which case more than two different tire type marking contents are employed.
According to an embodiment, the method further comprises storing the second tire (placing the second tire in storage) after vulcanizing and before generating the tire type marking. In other words, according to an embodiment, a vulcanized tire is stored (for example, without limiting generality, the second tire) prior to generating the tire type marking.
According to an embodiment, the method comprises determining a need for a desired type of tire, the desired type of tire being characterized by a content of the tire type mark; and generating a tire of the desired type of tire by generating the tire type marking on the second tire with a content corresponding to the desired type of tire. Determining the desired type of tire may be, for example, determining the desired type of tire based on a demand to purchase a tire, a demand to supply a vehicle production line, a demand to build (or replenish) a hand inventory.

- 9 -Generally, however, according to an embodiment, determining a need for a desired type of tire requires only a determination that there is a need (of some sort) for the type of tire in question. In other words, the need referred to in embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein is not necessarily linked to a particular logistics concept and/or inventory concept. Nevertheless, according to an embodiment, the need for a particular type of tire may be a total need (total number of tires of the type of tire probably needed). According to another embodiment, the need for a particular type of tire is a surplus need, i.e., a need for tires of the tire type, in addition to tires of the type of tire that are already on hand. Tires of a type of tire that are already on hand are, for example, tires that have already been provided with a tire type marking in accordance with a method described herein or into which the tire type marking has been vulcanized in a known manner.
According to an embodiment, the method further comprises storing the second tire in which the tire type marking was generated. For example, in a two-stage storage process, the vulcanized tire may first be stored in a storage without the tire type marking and, upon demand to build or replenish a manual inventory, engraved with the tire type marking and stored in the manual inventory. For example, in a two-stage storage process, the average storage period for a vulcanized tire without tire type marking may be fifty days and an average storage period for a tire with tire type marking (for example, in an area for small parts storage) may be one week. It is understood that the terms "storage" and "area for small parts storage" are not to be understood restrictively herein according to an embodiment and may be replaced, for example, by the terms "first storage" and "second storage", for example as used herein.
According to a further embodiment, the method comprises delivering the second tire, in which the tire type marking has been generated, without storage. In other words, according to an embodiment, it is intended to deliver (or distribute) the second tire after engraving the tire type marking without further storage.
According to an embodiment, a period of time between storing the second tire after vulcanization until the tire type marking is generated in the second tire is a

- 10 -first period and the storage of the second tire in which the tire type marking has been generated is, on a time average, for a second period, the second period being shorter than the first period. For example, according to an embodiment, the second time period is less than 50% of the first time period. According to another embodiment, the second time period is less than 25% or less than 10%
of the first time period. For example, the second tire may be stored in a first storage until the tire type marking is generated in the second tire and may be stored in a second storage (for example, an area for small parts storage) after the tire type marking is generated. According to an embodiment, the first storage and the second storage are identical (i.e., the same storage). In other words, a storage may have both tires without the tire type marking and tires with the tire type marking. According to another embodiment, the first storage is different from the second storage (for example, physically different, operated by different companies, etc.). In general, embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein, and in particular embodiments for optimizing a storage strategy, may be implemented with different logistics concepts and different spatial distributions of storages.
According to a further embodiment, the method further comprises determining an expected maximum required quantity for each tire type of the at least two types, wherein the vulcanizing of at least two tires having an identical structure with respect to at least one aspect comprises vulcanizing such tires in a number corresponding to a fraction of the sum of the expected maximum required quantities of the at least two types. According to a further embodiment, the fraction is between 5% and 95%, for example between 10% and 85%. This fraction or number corresponds to an expected maximum required quantity of tires without tire type marking. Accordingly, by defining the type of a tire according to a need for that type, the number of tires actually vulcanized may be less than the sum of the expected maximum required quantities (of the at least two types). For example, if for a first type an expected maximum first required quantity is 100,000 tires and for a second type an expected maximum second required quantity is 150,000 tires, the sum of the expected maximum required quantities of tires of the two types is 250,000 tires. However, the maximum required quantity always includes a safety margin to ensure the ability to supply both types. According to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein, by

- 11 -(subsequently) determining the tire type depending on the actual need, it is possible to vulcanize a number of tires that is lower than the sum of the expected maximum required quantities (in the example 250,000 tires), for example in the given example at 200,000 tires (corresponding to a fraction of 80%).
In the tire industry, standard deviations of a sales forecast (i.e., an expected required quantity) are typically in a similar range as the sales forecast itself. In other words, if a sales forecast for a particular type of tire yields a number of 100,000 tires, the standard deviation is also typically assumed to be in the range of 100,000 tires. An expected maximum required quantity, which is the sum of the sales forecast and the standard deviation, would in this case be 100,000 +

100,000 = 200,000 tires for the particular tire type.
If instead of two individual sales forecasts P1, P2 for two types of tires (which according to an embodiment have an identical structure with respect to at least one aspect), an overall sales forecast P
- ges = Pi + P2 can be made for the two types of tires, since the tire type is determined only at a later point in time (for example depending on an actual need) by engraving the corresponding tire type marking, the standard deviation for the total sales forecast ages is reduced to a value which corresponds to the square root of the sum of the squares of the standard deviations for the sales forecast of the individual tire types al, G2 :
ages =-\1 (G12 +G22 ) or in general, for n types of tires, where N is a natural number greater than or equal to two (n 2):
ages ="\I (a12 + === +an2 ) In general, the total sales forecast Pges is the sum of the individual sales forecasts P1 f ===f Pn :
Pges = Pi + ... + Pn

- 12 -Thus, the expected maximum required quantity Vges for the n tire types is the sum of the total sales forecast and the standard deviation for the total sales forecast:
Vges = Pges + ages According to an embodiment, the vulcanization of at least two tires having an identical structure with respect to at least one aspect is performed when a number of tires without tire type markings in a storage is less than a predetermined safety stock (minimum inventory level) for tires without tire type markings. In other words, when the number in the storage falls below the safety stock due to removal of tires without tire type markings, tires without tire type markings are replenished. According to another embodiment, the safety stock for tires without tire type markings is less than a sum of individual safety stocks that would have to be maintained for each of the at least two types of tires if the at least two types of tires were stored. In other words, the safety stock for tires without tire type markings is only a fraction of the sum of individual safety stocks that would have to be kept for each of the at least two types of tires if the at least two types of tires were stored. According to another embodiment, this fraction is also between 5% and 95%, for example between 10% and 85%.
According to an embodiment, the fraction with respect to the safety stock and/or the fraction with respect to the expected maximum required quantity can be estimated by Fraction B = (Pges +4 (G12 + ... +cyn2 )) / (P +gegyi + ... +n) According to an embodiment, there is provided a computer program product having a program element, wherein the program element, when executed on a processor device, causes execution of a method of operation disclosed herein for a tire marking device.
According to another embodiment, there is provided a computer program product having a program element, wherein the program element, when executed on a processor device, causes execution of a method disclosed herein for manufacturing at least two types of tires.

- 13 -According to embodiments of the first aspect, the tire marking device is adapted to provide the functionality of one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein and/or to provide the functionality as required for one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, in particular the embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect, the sixth aspect, and/or the seventh aspect.
According to embodiments of the second aspect, the tire is adapted to provide the functionality of one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein and/or to provide the functionality as required for one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, in particular the embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect, the sixth aspect, and/or the seventh aspect.
According to embodiments of the third aspect, the two tires are configured to provide the functionality of one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein and/or to provide the functionality as required for one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, in particular the embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect, the sixth aspect, and/or the seventh aspect.
According to embodiments of the fourth aspect, the method of manufacturing at least two types of tires is adapted to provide the functionality of one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein and/or to provide the functionality as required for one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, in particular the embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect, the sixth aspect, and/or the seventh aspect.
According to embodiments of the fifth aspect, the method of operation for a tire marking device is adapted to provide the functionality of one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein and/or to provide the functionality as required for one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, in particular the embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect, the sixth aspect, and/or the seventh aspect.

- 14 -According to embodiments of the sixth aspect, the computer program product is adapted to provide the functionality of one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein and/or to provide the functionality as required for one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, in particular the embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect, the sixth aspect, and/or the seventh aspect.
According to embodiments of the seventh aspect, the computer program product is adapted to provide the functionality of one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein and/or to provide the functionality as required for one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, in particular the embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect, the sixth aspect, and/or the seventh aspect.
Exemplary embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein comprise, in particular, the embodiments and combinations of embodiments described below:
1. A tire marking device, comprising:
a specifying device by which one of at least two alternative contents for a tire type marking is specifiable for the tire;
an engraving device that engraves the tire type marking with the specified content into the tire.
2. The tire marking device according to embodiment 1, wherein the specifying device comprises a control element; and wherein for specifying a content, this content is selectable with the control element from the at least two alternative contents.
3. The tire marking device according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the tire type marking is one of the following:
- a speed index, - a load index, - a registration mark, - an umbrella brand,

- 15 -¨ a product name, ¨ a product variant name, ¨ a co-brand.
4. The tire marking device according to any one of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the tire type marking for one of the at least two alternative contents has a dimension greater than 10 cm in at least one direction.
5. A tire comprising:
a tire type marking applied to the tire after vulcanization;
wherein the tire type marking specifies a performance of the tire that differs from a performance defined by at least one aspect of a structure of the tire, in particular with respect to at least one of a tread pattern, a carcass, and a dimension.
6. The tire according to embodiment 5, wherein the tire type marking is one of the following:
¨ a speed index, ¨ a load index, ¨ a registration mark, ¨ an umbrella brand, ¨ a product name, ¨ a product variant name, ¨ a co-brand.
7. Two tires, which have an identical structure with respect to at least one aspect, in particular with respect to at least one of a tread pattern, a carcass, and a dimension; and which differ by the content of a tire type marking applied to both tires after vulcanization.
8. The two tires according to embodiment 7, wherein the tire type marking is one of the following:
¨ a speed index,

- 16 -¨ a load index, ¨ a registration mark, ¨ an umbrella brand, ¨ a product name, ¨ a product variant name, ¨ a co-brand.
9. A method of manufacturing at least two types of tires, in particular pneumatic tires, the method comprising:
providing at least two vulcanized tires having an identical structure with respect to at least one aspect, in particular with respect to at least one of a tread pattern, a carcass and a dimension, in particular wherein providing the at least two vulcanized tires comprises vulcanizing the at least two tires;
generating a tire type marking in a first of the at least two tires, the tire type marking in the first tire having a first content;
generating the tire type marking in a second of the at least two tires, the tire type marking in the second tire having a second content; and where the first content is different from the second content.
10. The method according to embodiment 9, wherein the tire type marking is one of the following:
¨ a speed index, ¨ a load index, ¨ a registration mark, ¨ an umbrella brand, ¨ a product name, ¨ a product variant name, ¨ a co-brand.
11. The method according to embodiment 9 or 10, wherein the tire type marking for the first and/or the second content has a dimension greater than 10 cm in at least one direction.
12. The method according to any one of embodiments 9 to 11, further comprising:

- 17 -storing the second tire after vulcanization and before generating the tire type marking.
13. The method according to embodiment 12, further comprising:
determining a need for a desired type of tire, wherein the desired type of tire is characterized by a content of the tire type mark;
generating a tire of the desired type of tire by generating the tire type marking on the second tire with a content corresponding to the desired type of tire.
14. The method according to embodiment 13, the method subsequently further comprising:
storing the second tire, in which the tire type marking was generated, or delivering the second tire, in which the tire type marking was generated, without storage.
15. The method according to embodiment 14, wherein a period of time between storing the second tire after vulcanization until the tire type marking is generated in the second tire is, on a time average, a first period, and;
the storage of the second tire, in which the tire type marking was generated, is carried out, on a time average, for a second period;
wherein the second period is shorter than the first period, in particular wherein the second period is less than 50%, 25% or 10% of the first period.
16. The method according to any one of embodiments 9 to 15, further comprising:
determining an expected maximum required quantity of tires for each tire type of at least two types;
wherein the vulcanizing of at least two tires having an identical structure with respect to at least one aspect comprises vulcanizing such tires in a number corresponding to a fraction of the sum of the expected maximum required quantities of the at least two types;
in particular where the fraction is between 5% and 95%.

- 18 -17. The method according to any one of embodiments 9 to 16, wherein the vulcanizing of at least two tires having an identical structure with respect to at least one aspect is performed when a number of tires without tire type markings in a storage is less than a predetermined safety stock for tires without tire type markings;
where the safety stock for tires without tire type markings is less than a sum of individual safety stocks that would have to be maintained for each of the at least two types of tires if the at least two types of tires were stored.
18. A method of operation for a tire marking device, the method comprising:
receiving a signal specifying, for a tire, one of at least two alternative contents for a tire type marking;
depending on the signal, selecting a set of engraving data from at least two different sets of engraving data, each set of engraving data specifying an associated content of the at least two alternative contents.

19. A computer program product comprising a program element which, when executed on a processor device, causes execution of a method of operation according to embodiment 18.

20. A computer program product comprising a program element which, when executed on a processor device, causes execution of a method according to any one of embodiments 9 to 17.
As used herein, reference to a computer program product is considered equivalent to reference to a computer program comprising the program element and/or a computer readable medium comprising the program element. According to an embodiment, the program element comprises instructions for controlling a processing device (comprising one or more microprocessors, for example a computer system) to effect and/or coordinate the execution of a method described herein, or at least one embodiment thereof.
The program element may be implemented as computer-readable instruction code using any suitable programming language, such as JAVA, C#, and may be stored on a computer-readable medium (removable disk, volatile or non-volatile memory, embedded memory/processor, etc.). According to an embodiment, the instruction code is executable for programming a computer or any other programmable processor device to perform the intended functions. The computer program may be available on a network, such as the World Wide Web, from which it may be downloaded, for example.
The subject matter disclosed herein may be realized by means of a computer program product (program element), respectively software. However, the subject matter disclosed herein may also be realized by one or more specific electronic circuits, respectively hardware. Further, the subject matter disclosed herein may also be realized in hybrid form, i.e., in a combination of software modules and hardware modules.
Unless otherwise indicated, numerical values are to be understood including a 5% window, i.e., for example, according to an embodiment, an indication of 10 cm comprises a length within an interval of (10 cm 5%) = [9.5 cm; 10.5 cm], and according to an embodiment, a percentage indication of 50% comprises a percentage indication within an interval of 50% 5% = [47.5%; 52.5%].
According to a further embodiment, numerical values are to be understood including a 10 % window.
It is further noted that space-related terms (and corresponding representations), such as "front" and "back," "top" and "bottom," "left" and "right," etc., are used to describe the relationship of an element to another element or elements, as illustrated in the figures. Accordingly, the space-related terms may apply to orientations which are different from the orientations illustrated in the figures. It is understood, however, that all such space-related terms refer to the orientations shown in the drawings for the sake of simplicity of description and are not necessarily limiting, since the respective illustrated device, component, etc., when in use, may assume orientations that may be different from the orientations shown in the drawing.
Exemplary embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein are described below, referring, for example, to a tire marking device, a tire, two tires, a method of manufacturing at least two types of tires, a method of operation for a tire marking device, and a computer program product. It should be emphasized that, of course, any combination of features of various aspects, embodiments, and examples is possible. In particular, some embodiments are described with reference to a method, while other embodiments are described with reference to a device. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art from the foregoing and subsequent description, claims, and drawings that, unless otherwise indicated, features of various aspects, embodiments, and examples are combinable and such combinations of features are to be considered disclosed by this application. For example, even a feature relating to a method is combinable with a feature relating to an device, and vice versa.
Further advantages and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following exemplary description of currently preferred embodiments, to which, however, the invention is not limited. The individual figures in the drawings of this document are to be regarded as merely schematic and not to scale.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 illustrates a tire marking device according to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein.
Fig. 2 illustrates another specifying device according to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein.
Fig. 3 illustrates two tires according to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein.
Fig. 4 illustrates a method of manufacturing at least two types of tires in accordance with embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein.
Fig. 5 schematically illustrates temporal sequences of possible handling operations of a tire in accordance with embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein.

- 21 -DETAILED DESCRIPTION
It is noted that in different figures similar or identical elements or components are provided with the same reference numerals, or with reference numerals differing only in the first digit or an appended letter. Such features or components that are identical or at least functionally identical to the corresponding features or components in another figure are described in detail only on their first occurrence in the following text, and the description is not repeated on subsequent occurrences of these features and components (or the corresponding reference numerals).
Fig. 1 illustrates a tire marking device 100 according to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein.
According to an embodiment, the tire marking device 100 comprises a tire receptacle 102 for receiving a tire 104. According to an embodiment, the tire receptacle 102 is formed by, for example, a conveyor belt, for example as shown in Fig. 1.
According to another embodiment, the tire marking device 100 comprises a specifying device 106 by which one of at least two alternative contents for a tire type marking is specifiable for the tire. Further, according to an embodiment, the tire marking device 100 comprises an engraving device 108 that engraves the tire type marking with the specified content into the tire 104.
According to an embodiment, a control device 116 is associated with the tire marking device 100 for controlling elements of the tire marking device, for example, the tire receptacle 102, the engraving device 108, and/or the specifying device 106. According to an embodiment, the control device 116 may be a part of the specifying device 106, for example, as shown in Fig. 1.
According to another embodiment, the control device may be a higher-level control device.
According to an embodiment, the control device 116 comprises a processor device 118 and a memory 120 in which at least two different sets of engraving

- 22 -data are stored, each set of engraving data specifying an associated content of the at least two alternative contents. According to an embodiment, the processor device is adapted to perform methods according to at least one of the embodiments disclosed herein.
According to an embodiment, the specifying device 106 comprises a control element 110 for specifying one content of the at least two alternative contents by selecting that content with the control element 110. For example, according to an embodiment, the control element 110 is arranged to display the at least two alternative contents, for example, a first content 112 and a second content 114.
The display of the at least two alternative contents may be analog or digital, for example. For example, it may be provided that the contents are displayed on a touch-sensitive screen and are selectable by touching with a finger of an operator.
According to an embodiment, the control device 116 receives a signal 117 specifying for the tire 104 one of at least two alternative contents for a tire type marking. According to an embodiment, the signal 117 is provided by the control element 110, for example as shown in Fig. 1. According to another embodiment, the signal 117 may be provided in another manner, for example by a decision unit 122 as described below with reference to Fig. 2.
Depending on the signal 117, the control device 116 selects a set of engraving data from the at least two sets of engraving data and controls the engraving device 108 according to the selected set of engraving data. In this manner, according to the selected set of engraving data, the engraving device 108 generates the content defined by the engraving data in the tire 104 as the tire type marking. According to an embodiment, the engraving device 108 engraves by means of a laser beam 109. In other words, according to an embodiment, the engraving device 108 is a laser engraving device.
Fig. 2 illustrates a further specifying device 206 in accordance with embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein. According to an embodiment, the further specifying device 206 may replace the specifying device 106 of Fig. 1.

- 23 -According to another embodiment, a selection of one of the at least two alternative contents may be made automatically by a decision unit. According to an embodiment, the specifying device 206 comprises a decision unit 122.
Although the decision unit 122 is shown as a separate element in Fig. 2, it is understood that the decision unit 122 may be implemented in software according to an embodiment. For example, the decision unit 122 may be implemented by a suitable program element module that is stored in the memory device 120 and that is executed on the processor device 118 of the specifying device 206.
If the specifying device 206 comprises a decision unit 122, according to an embodiment, a control element 110 may optionally be omitted, for example as shown in Fig. 2.
According to an embodiment, the decision unit 122 is arranged to automatically select one of the at least two alternative contents based on predetermined (for example, programmed) decision criteria. According to a further embodiment, the decision unit is arranged to be capable of machine learning and to automatically select one of the at least two alternative contents based on decision criteria trained by the machine learning.
According to an embodiment, the specifying device 106, 206 is positioned locally, i.e., in close proximity to the engraving device 108. According to another embodiment, the specifying device 106, 206 may be positioned remotely from the engraving device 108. According to yet another embodiment, the specifying device 106, 206 is connected to the engraving device 108 by a suitable connection, for example, via the internet, via a local area network (LAN), or via a wide area network (WAN).
Fig. 3 illustrates a tire, namely a first tire 124 comprising a first tire type marking 126 and a second tire type marking 128, wherein the first tire type marking and the second tire type marking 128 are tire type markings within the meaning of the subject matter disclosed herein.
Fig. 3 shows another tire, namely a second tire 130 also comprising the first tire type marking 126 and the second tire type marking 128. According to an

- 24 -embodiment, the tire, i.e. in this case the first tire 124 and the second tire 130, is a pneumatic tire.
According to an embodiment, the first tire type marking 126 is a speed index.
According to another embodiment, the second tire type marking 128 is an approval marking indicating and/or required for approval of the tire in a particular region.
According to an embodiment, the first tire 124 and the second tire 130 have at least the same tread pattern and the same dimension. In this sense, according to an embodiment, the first tire 124 and the second tire 130 have the same structure in terms of tread pattern and dimension. Alternatively or additionally, according to an embodiment, the first tire 124 and the second tire 130 have the same carcass.
According to another embodiment, the first tire 124 and the second tire 130 have been vulcanized in the same tire mold. According to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein, the first tire 124 has the speed index H in the first tire type marking 126, while the second tire 130 has the speed index V in the first tire type marking 126. According to another embodiment, the first tire 124 has the approval marking E in the second tire type marking 128, while the second tire 130 has the approval marking CCC in the second tire type marking 128.
Thus, Fig. 3 shows two tires according to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein.
According to an embodiment, the second tire type marking 128 of the second tire 130 has a circumferential dimension 132 that is greater than 10 cm.
As stated above, the second tire 130 has a speed index V, i.e., the tire is specified for velocities up to 240 km/h. According to an embodiment, the structure of the first tire 124 and the second tire 130 corresponds to this speed index V. Nevertheless, in accordance with embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein, the first tire 124 is engraved with the first tire type marking H, which specifies the tire for velocities up to 210 km/h. Thus, in accordance with embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein, the first tire type marking

- 25 -(speed index) is specified for a performance (H) of the first tire 124 that differs from (in particular is less than) the performance (V) defined by the structure of the first tire with respect to at least one of the tread pattern, the carcass, and the dimension.
Fig. 4 illustrates a method of manufacturing at least two types of tires in accordance with embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein.
According to an embodiment, in a first process 140, two tires, a first tire 124 and a second tire 130, are vulcanized, which have an identical structure at least with respect to at least one of a tread pattern, a carcass and a dimension.
According to an embodiment, the first tire 124 and the second tire 130 are manufactured at the same manufacturing site, for example at the same tire factory.
According to an embodiment, the first tire 124 is transferred for tire engraving, indicated at 142 in Fig. 4, wherein a tire type marking, for example the first tire type marking 126 as described with reference to Fig. 3, is engraved into the first tire 124. The tire engraving 142 may be performed, for example, using a tire marking device in accordance with embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein.
According to another embodiment, after vulcanizing 140 and before generating the first tire type marking 124, the second tire 130 is stored in a first storage 144, for example for a first period of time. According to another embodiment, when there is a need for a tire having a first tire type marking of a desired content, a tire from the first storage 144 having a structure consistent with the desired content for the first tire type marking, for example, the second tire 130, is subjected to a tire engraving 142 in which the desired content of the first tire type marking 126 is engraved into the second tire 130. The tires engraved at 142 are stored, for example, in a second storage 146 (for example, an area for small parts storage) or immediately transferred to distribution, indicated at in Fig. 4. According to an embodiment, the tire vulcanization 140 may include one or more vulcanization sites. Further, the tire engraving 142 may also comprise one or more engraving sites. Further, the first storage 144 may

- 26 -comprise one or more storage sites. According to another embodiment, the second storage 146 may comprise one or more storage sites.
Fig. 5 schematically illustrates temporal sequences of possible handling operations of a tire in accordance with embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein.
In Fig. 5, t denotes time. Time periods (intervals between points in time tx, x =
0, 1, ...) are not to scale. According to an embodiment, the tire is vulcanized starting at t = tO over a period 150, with vulcanization being completed at a point in time t1. Subsequently, according to an embodiment, the tire is stored, for example in a first storage 144. According to an embodiment, the storage in the first storage 144 takes place on average for a first period of time 152 (A
t152 = t2 - t1) before the tire is removed from the storage at a point in time t2.
According to another embodiment, the tire is subsequently subjected to a tire engraving 142 before being stored in a second storage 146 starting at a point in time t3. On average, the tire remains in the second storage 146 for a second time period 154 (A t154 = t4 - t3) before being removed from the second storage at a point in time t4 for a distribution, indicated at 156. According to another embodiment, distribution of the tire can also take place after tire engraving (without storage in the second storage 146), indicated at the dashed line 256 in Fig. 5. According to an embodiment, tire engraving can also take place immediately after vulcanization (without storage in the first storage 144), indicated at 242 in Fig. 5.
With reference to Fig. 5, it is noted that there may be further time periods between the points in time and time periods described, for example time periods that may be required for transporting the tire, for example from the location of the vulcanization of the tire to the first storage. Such further time periods are not shown in Fig. 5 to simplify the description and illustration.
According to an embodiment, the second storage in which the tires with the tire type marking are stored is not exclusively filled by tires in which the tire type marking has been engraved according to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein. Rather, it is also possible to additionally fill this storage with

- 27 -tires in which the tire type marking was introduced (applied) during vulcanization (in a conventional manner). This reduces the number of tire engravings.
Embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein, therefore, enable the construction of a globally efficient tire platform strategy by which inventories of tires can be maintained at a low level, for example, to save costs.
According to an embodiment, the method of manufacturing at least two types of tires is implemented on a processor device, for example on the processor device described with reference to Fig. 1 or a processor device of a higher-level control device.
It should be noted that a device, an entity, etc., as described herein is not limited to the decided entities as described in some embodiments. Rather, the subject matter disclosed herein may be implemented in numerous ways at various levels of granularity while still providing the disclosed specific functionality.
According to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein, each suitable entity (e.g., components, units, and devices) may be provided at least in part in the form of respective computer programs that enable a processing device to provide the functionality of the corresponding entity as described herein.
According to other embodiments, any suitable entity as described herein may be provided in hardware. According to other, hybrid embodiments, some entities may be provided in software while other entities are provided in hardware.
It is noted that each entity disclosed herein (e.g., components, units, and devices) is not limited to a decided entity as described in some embodiments.
Rather, the subject matter described herein may be provided in different ways with different granularity at the device level or at the software module level while still providing the specified functionality. Further, it should be noted that according to embodiments, a separate entity (e.g., a software module, a hardware module, or a hybrid module) may be provided for each of the functions disclosed herein. According to other embodiments, one entity (e.g., a software module, a hardware module, or a hybrid module) may be configured to provide

- 28 -two or more functions as described herein. According to yet other embodiments, two or more entities (e.g., components, units, and devices) may be configured to collectively provide a function as described herein.
According to an embodiment, the control device includes a processor device comprising at least one processor for executing at least one computer program /
program element corresponding to a respective software module.
It is noted that the embodiments described herein represent only a limited selection of possible embodiments of the invention. Thus, it is possible to combine the features of different embodiments in a suitable manner, so that for those skilled in the art, a plurality of different embodiments are to be considered disclosed with the embodiments made explicit herein. Furthermore, it should be mentioned that terms such as "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. Terms such as "comprising" or "having" do not exclude further features or process steps.
Consequently, according to an embodiment, the term "comprising" or "having"
stands for "comprising, inter alia". According to a further embodiment, the term "comprising" or "having" stands for "consisting of". According to an embodiment, the term "adapted to" comprises among others the meaning "configured to".
It should also be noted that reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims. It should also be noted that reference signs in the description and the description's reference to the drawings should not be construed as limiting the scope of the description. Rather, the drawings illustrate only an exemplary implementation of a particular combination of several embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein, any other combination of embodiments being equally possible and to be considered disclosed by this application.
In summary, it remains to be stated:
A tire marking device is disclosed, comprising: a specifying device by which one of at least two alternative contents for a tire type marking is specifiable for the tire; and an engraving device that engraves the tire type marking with the specified content into the tire. Further disclosed is a corresponding tire and two

- 29 -corresponding tires. Further disclosed is a method of manufacturing at least two types of tires, a method of operation for a tire marking device, and corresponding computer program products.

Claims (20)

Claims

1. A tire marking device, comprising:
a specifying device by which one of at least two alternative contents for a tire type marking is specifiable for the tire; and an engraving device that engraves the tire type marking with the specified content into the tire.

2. The tire marking device according to claim 1, wherein the specifying device comprises a control element; and wherein for specifying a content, this content is selectable with the control element from the at least two alternative contents.

3. The tire marking device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tire type marking is one of the following:
¨ a speed index, ¨ a load index, ¨ a registration mark, ¨ an umbrella brand, ¨ a product name, ¨ a product variant name, ¨ a co-brand.

4. The tire marking device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tire type marking for one of the at least two alternative contents has a dimension greater than 10 cm in at least one direction.

5. A tire comprising:
a tire type marking applied to the tire after vulcanization;
wherein the tire type marking specifies a performance of the tire that differs from a performance defined by at least one aspect of a structure of the tire, in particular with respect to at least one of a tread pattern, a carcass, and a dimension.

6. The tire according to claim 5, wherein the tire type marking is one of the following:
¨ a speed index, ¨ a load index, ¨ a registration mark, ¨ an umbrella brand, ¨ a product name, ¨ a product variant name, ¨ a co-brand.

7. Two tires, which have an identical structure with respect to at least one aspect, in particular with respect to at least one of a tread pattern, a carcass, and a dimension; and which differ by the content of a tire type marking applied to both tires after vulcanization.

8. The two tires according to claim 7, wherein the tire type marking is one of the following:
¨ a speed index, ¨ a load index, ¨ a registration mark, ¨ an umbrella brand, ¨ a product name, ¨ a product variant name, ¨ a co-brand.

9. A method of manufacturing at least two types of tires, in particular pneumatic tires, the method comprising:
providing at least two vulcanized tires having an identical structure with respect to at least one aspect, in particular with respect to at least one of a tread pattern, a carcass and a dimension, in particular wherein providing the at least two vulcanized tires comprises vulcanizing the at least two tires;
generating a tire type marking in a first of the at least two tires, the tire type marking in the first tire having a first content;

generating the tire type marking in a second of the at least two tires, the tire type marking in the second tire having a second content; and where the first content is different from the second content.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the tire type marking is one of the following:
- a speed index, - a load index, - a registration mark, - an umbrella brand, - a product name, - a product variant name, - a co-brand.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the tire type marking for the first and/or the second content has a dimension greater than 10 cm in at least one direction.

12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, further comprising:
storing the second tire after vulcanization and before generating the tire type marking.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising:
determining a need for a desired type of tire, wherein the desired type of tire is characterized by a content of the tire type mark;
generating a tire of the desired type of tire by generating the tire type marking on the second tire with a content corresponding to the desired type of tire.

14. The method according to claim 13, the method subsequently further comprising:
storing the second tire, in which the tire type marking was generated, or delivering the second tire, in which the tire type marking was generated, without storage.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein a period of time between storing the second tire after vulcanization until the tire type marking is generated in the second tire is, on a time average, a first period, and;
the storage of the second tire, in which the tire type marking was generated, is carried out, on a time average, for a second period;
wherein the second period is shorter than the first period, in particular wherein the second period is less than 50%, 25% or 10% of the first period.

16. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 15, further comprising:
determining an expected maximum required quantity of tires for each tire type of at least two types;
wherein the vulcanizing of at least two tires having an identical structure with respect to at least one aspect comprises vulcanizing such tires in a number corresponding to a fraction of the sum of the expected maximum required quantities of the at least two types;
in particular where the fraction is between 5% and 95%.

17. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 16, wherein the vulcanizing of at least two tires having an identical structure with respect to at least one aspect is performed when a number of tires without tire type markings in a storage is less than a predetermined safety stock for tires without tire type markings;
where the safety stock for tires without tire type markings is less than a sum of individual safety stocks that would have to be maintained for each of the at least two types of tires if the at least two types of tires were stored.

18. A method of operation for a tire marking device, the method comprising:
receiving a signal specifying, for a tire, one of at least two alternative contents for a tire type marking;
depending on the signal, selecting a set of engraving data from at least two different sets of engraving data, each set of engraving data specifying an associated content of the at least two alternative contents.

19. A computer program product comprising a program element which, when executed on a processor device, causes execution of a method of operation according to claim 18.

20. A computer program product comprising a program element which, when executed on a processor device, causes execution of a method according to any one of claims 9 to 17.